Caroline Hirons fans this way please

[freelancegirl]

I'm really stepping up my beauty routine having noticed I'm getting a bit looser around the jowels. Yikes. Ive discovered Caroline Hirons and loving her blog so far.

For the last week at night I've been double cleansing and also have added in an acid toner (have bought Pixi). I'm using a hydrating eye gel and then night moisturiser. Single cleanse in the morning followed by day cream.

I want to introduce more: retinol, a serum, good eye product and whatever it takes. I've just ordered Good Genes as it sounds useful but I'm a bit confused as to when to use it all.

Am I correct in thinking night:

Cleanse x 2
Acid tone (will go for a stronger one once Pixi is finished)
Good Genes (when it arrives - does this count as a serum?
Retinol (have yet to buy but think I'm going to start with Le Roche Posay)
Night cream (is this still needed?)

I'm 42, skin not too wrinkly but do have some around the eyes and on the forehead, have some hyperpigmentation (mixed race) and also early signs of sagging. Acid tone has already made a big difference.

Any recommendations for good eye make up remover (I like wearing black Bobbi Brown eye liner gel which does need some removing), cleaners, serums, retinols and the bloody order of these much appreciated. Oh and also a recommendation for a good SPF for day.

Skin is normal - not particularly dry or greasy.

Thanks in advance!

Hi freelancegirl, I'm glad you're loving acid toning - it really does make a difference! Some recommendations from me:

Eye make up remover - Nivea Double Effects shifts everything on me including gel liner and its cheap as chips

Cleansers - Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean (morning), Pure Hot Cloth Cleanser (from M&S), Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm, No7 Cleansing Oil

Serums - Superdrug Simply Pure (from Superdrug and under £3!), Superfacialist Vitamin C serum (Boots), Vichy Aqualia Thermal

SPF - best I've used is Biore Watery Essence SPF 50, available via Amazon, costs about £10, feels like skincare and no stingy eyes

Enjoy your new skincare regime!

Oh thanks that's really helpful. I'm really enjoying planning what to get and like I said have noticed a difference just by introducing acid toner and cleansing a bit better. I will make a note of some of these to try.

I wouldn't use retinol over GoodGenes if I were you but alternate the days you use them. That's a lot of resurfacing you're putting your skin through. Use an spf the day after retinol usage.

Thanks. Yes I was planning to just do three days a week with retiinol, would that make sense? Maybe alternate dates with Good Genes. I'm in spain at the moment so checking out the pharmacies. Lots of French brands like LRP and Caudialie but I think they're cheaper online. For retinol was thinking the LRP sounds ok.

I've got skin like an old boot and can suffer acids etc without side effects but I know a lot of people suffer sensitivity so I think yes - alternating days or 3 days a week sounds like a plan. You can build up once you know your skin's tolerance.

Skin like an old boot? Sounds like some dodgy cream title

First night with retinol last night - LRP - and no weird tingling etc. Strange how my skin looks so much better even after just having added in an acid toner. Would you still use an acid toner on the days you use retinol? I didn't last night just in case.

LRP VitC10 is good. I vary my acid toners depending on skin; normal use is glycolic but if I have a breakout then I switch to salycilic.

My go-to oil cleanser is The Body Shop silky camomile cleansing oil. Have tried loads of others, including the Emma Hardie Moringa balm that everyone raves about - and I still go back to TBS. Fantastic value for money, great slip and will take off everything including Benefit mascara!

I'm using a lot of Deciem products at the moment - Hylamide is very good, especially the eye treatment.

But out of all the advice that I have gained from CH's site, the best and most invaluable has been to buy 7 flannels and wash my face properly. That has made the biggest difference!